“They did. I was very clear with them about it. That and how ill their dog was even before we began.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. And I’m sure your staff can testify to that.”
Matilda lifted the manila folder. “They have in their statements, but they can in person too if necessary.”
He stood and shook her hand, indicating that the meeting was over. “Leave it all to me. I’ll be in contact with the prosecuting attorney to get things rolling, but don’t worry yourself about this. I’m going to make sure you walk away unscathed.”
She exhaled with relief. “Thank you so much. You have no idea what that means to me.”
“These things can be very stressful. But you’ve handed it over to me now, so you can think about other things. I’m on the case.”
When she left, she stopped at a drive-through for an iced latte. They asked if she wanted cream, she told them “Absolutely. Plenty of cream, please, and ice cream too.”
She needed the boost. She hadn’t eaten much lately and had dropped some weight. Her figure had always been lean, but now she was looking a little bonier than she liked. Even Ryan had commented on it. But when she was anxious, she couldn’t think about food. Or sleep. Or anything that was good for her. And she’d developed some kind of cold that she couldn’t shake. She’d coughed all night long.
With the latte in hand, she drove to the clinic and walked into the building feeling much better about everything. She waved to the receptionist, then stopped by the bathroom to do a pregnancy test. She did one every month, and so far, it’d been a demoralising experience. Perhaps today would be different.
She sat waiting for the word “pregnant” to appear in the small rectangular screen. But “not pregnant” flashed across the stick again, just as it had in previous months. The happy feeling that had begun to return when she sipped her latte was gone instantly and sadness settled over her, making a rock in the pit of her gut. What if it never happened?
After washing her hands, she went to her office and set her purse on the desk. Then she threw on her white coat and got to work. There was a waiting room full of animals that needed her attention, and even though the clinic was causing her so much anxiety her health was suffering, and even though her heart was breaking over the test results, the one thing that always took her mind off her troubles was helping animals. She loved them. It was still true, despite the recent struggles. They were sweet and innocent. They didn’t deserve to be sick or injured, elderly or disabled. She could do something to make their lives easier, more enjoyable, healthier, so that’s what she’d do. She couldn’t control everything, but she could fight for the animals. It was something.
Thinking of that made her lift her chin a little higher. Her throat ached as emotions welled, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. She had work to do.
After work, Matilda drove home to the house by the lake. Ryan was working late, so after a shower, she decided to make dinner a plate of crackers, olives, cheese, hummus, and crusty bread. Then, carrying that with a large glass of wine, she wandered down to the edge of the lake and sat in her favourite chair. She loved to watch the late summer sun setting, its oranges and pinks reflecting off the dark surface of the water.
Before long, Julie came and joined her. “Hey, how was your day?”
“I survived it,” Matilda said. “How about you? Want some cheese?”
Julie sat beside her and reached for a cracker and cheese. “Thanks. I’ve been stuck all day on a paragraph I’m writing for my thesis. It’s given me a huge headache.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe some wine would help?” She raised her glass toward Julie, who laughed.
“No, I’d better not. I’m driving to the mall for late-night shopping. I thought you might like to come and look at bridesmaid dresses with me.”
Matilda straightened in her chair. “I would love to do that. That’s exactly what I need tonight. Something fun and light to pull me out of this funk I’m in.”
Julie clapped her hands together. “Perfect! Get your purse. Let’s go.”
“I’ll be right back!”
They drove to the mall together, chattering the entire way there. Julie wanted dusky pink bridesmaid dresses, and Matilda wasn’t sure they’d be able to find something in that exact colour. But Julie was determined, so Matilda gave up arguing and decided to embrace the challenge.
They searched the mall from top to bottom, stopping in every boutique, department store, and bridal outlet. Finally, Julie located a slip dress with spaghetti straps in the exact hue she’d hoped for. It had a satin ribbon around a high waist and a full-length skirt. Matilda tried it on, and when she walked out of the changing room, Julie laughed in delight.
“It’s perfect! I love it. And I’m sure Sophie will feel the same way. I’ve asked her to be my maid of honour, but she can’t fly into town until right before the wedding.”
Matilda studied her reflection in the mirror. The dress was lovely, but she looked bony, and there were dark shadows beneath her eyes. She decided to focus on the task at hand and spun one way, then the other.
“I love it.”
Julie’s eyes glistened. “I’m glad. I wasn’t sure we’d manage to find something like I had in mind, but this is exactly what I pictured.”
They embraced and purchased the gown. Then they found a restaurant and ordered a piece of cheesecake and a hot chocolate each and chatted about the upcoming wedding, Julie’s plans for the future, and other lighthearted topics. Matilda avoided talking about her own life, and for a few minutes, she was able to forget about her worries.
It was good to have a friend. She missed her sister and the friends she’d had back in Brisbane. She’d taken them all for granted when she lived there, expecting that they’d always be in her life and she didn’t have to do anything much to keep the relationship going. But now that she’d been living overseas for so long, one by one her friends had lost touch with her. She could email them and they’d likely respond, but they didn’t reach out to ask when she’d be home any longer.
Even the phone calls from Stella had slowed, so she was grateful for Julie, Rita, Ryan’s family, and the friendships she’d made at the clinic. She treasured them all now that she knew how hard it was to maintain long-term friendships and how easily they could be lost.
